​MESSAGE FROM THE WDNR:KEEP WILDLIFE WILD CAMPAIGN

The WDNR would like to invite you to be a part of the Keep Wildlife Wild campaign.

​Each spring many young wild animals are taken from the wild by well-meaning people who fear that they are orphaned and at risk. In most cases, these young wild animals are not orphaned, but are seen alone because of the natural behavior of the species. For instance, female deer leave their young fawns alone throughout the day knowing that their natural camouflage is their best protection from predators. Young fawns seen alone are generally not orphaned and the best approach is to leave them in the wild.

​If a fawn is brought in to you by a concerned citizen, you can refer to the “I Found a Fawn. Now What?” flowchart, developed by the Keep Wildlife Wild campaign staff, to assist in deciding the best action to take. Frequently that action will be to return the fawn to where it was found so that it can be reunited with its mother. If you think that the fawn is truly orphaned or is injured, please contact a licensed deer rehabilitator before taking the fawn to them. You can find their contact information here: Wildlife Rehabilitation Directory.

Additional information for many of the common species on how to tell if a wild animal is truly orphaned can be found on the Keep Wildlife Wild webpage. A young wild animal's best chance for survival is with its mother! Thank you for your assistance in keeping wildlife wild.